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Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings


"An Open Letter from the Director "

by Cliff J. Vanell, Director Vol. 2 January 1997

December 31 marked the end of the first year of the OAH. Looking back over the months and the many changes that we all have gone through, I feel a sense of tremendous gratitude. Every agency is the sum of each man or woman that chooses to be a part of it, or who works with it. Many people have contributed to make the OAH in its formative months a success.

To the Administrative Law Judges and the Case Management Team:
I know that many of you looked with trepidation on the prospect of leaving your former agencies to become part of a new one. For the first five months we were scattered around the city, with only missionary activity and fax machines keeping us together. When we finally coalesced at the Executive Tower, there was no time to settle in - the work called! Many of you sat down to unfamiliar computers and programs. Procedures were developed on a minute by minute basis as ideas were suggested and implemented. Your enthusiasm, your humor, your commitment built the OAH.

You Administrative Law Judges all carry a tremendous responsibility. Citizens and agencies alike look to you to fairly and impartially hear the matters that come before you. They depend on your preparedness, your dedication and your judgment. They have been well-served.

We all stand on the shoulders of the case management system. Without it, we could not efficiently carry out our mission. You members of the support staff have built and continue to maintain an efficient and streamlined process that has made processing 3000 cases possible. Your personal kindness and good-nature have given a welcome human face to government.

The prime directives for the Case Management Supervisor and the Office Manager have been "get the cases set" and "get the bills paid!" Both of you have done so marvelously. I know I speak for each of us when I say that we depend upon you.

To the Agencies:
We are appreciative of the support you have given to the OAH from the very beginning. Your willingness to work through the rough spots in the road and your non-judgmental attitudes, particularly as we set up, will always be remembered. You have embraced the spirit of regulatory reform. That is a credit to your past dedication to provide good government. We understand the importance of providing you with quality hearings that fully and fairly reflect the facts to guide you in your decisions. Understand that we are committed to excellence, and that we are likewise committed to continually develop our skills and our expertise to provide our services. We will continually rededicate ourselves to the principles of fairness and impartiality.

To the Citizens:
The OAH was created for you. Your elected representatives wanted to make sure that you had no doubt about your government's commitment to hear your appeals for action (or inaction!) clearly and without any appearance of bias. We have tried to remove obstacles to your access to government. Be assured that the OAH will preserve its independence and will do everything within its power to provide fair, impartial and prompt hearings. Your comments telling us that we have done a good job are gratifying. But as much as we have done, it is no more than our duty. It is we who thank you for the opportunity to serve.

To the Legislature:
The gulf between plan and execution, hope and fulfillment, can often be great. Sometimes in retrospect the old status quo is better, at least in the short run, than the new situation. The OAH has worked hard to understand and implement the legislative will in regulatory reform. It is our greatest hope that we have been, and will continue to be, part of the quality of life in Arizona.

To the Governor:
From the minute of my appointment the message from you has always been to make the OAH work and to make it work well. Your commitment to the cause of regulatory reform and the climate of acceptance for the reform that you fostered among our fellow agencies was fertile soil for our success. I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this grand endeavor.


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